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Stress (It Showed Up To The Party)

October 8, 2013 - Carrie Olson

The wedding is only a few weeks out and while I have said that I haven't been stressed, that might be a teeny tiny white lie.

I went home this weekend for my wedding shower and bachelorette party. It was something that I have been looking forward to for weeks, not just because it would be a time of celebrating my favorite person, me (ha!), but I would be back in good 'ole Iowa.

It was also the first time in a long time of visiting where I didn't have a set of appointments or long events. Don't get me wrong, I have loved coming home for family weddings, but I would also squeeze in doctor's visits, hair appointments, and everything and anything in between. By the time I was on the plane back to Newark, I would be like "What just happened? It felt like I was home for an hour." In the past few days, I was able to relax with family, venture to the coffee shop, the library, even for a walk on the Briggs Woods Trail. It felt wonderful to spend time talking to some of my favorite people in casual settings and just catch up. I was truly able to savor the fall season in my favorite state.

My only problem was that whole sleep thing. It hasn't held a very prominent a spot in my life in recent days. In Central Time, I managed a solid three and a half to four hours a night. I've done the PM medicines and while they greatly succeed in getting me in dream mode and having a hangover the next morning, at 3 a.m., I'm up and in groggy-can't-sleep mode. You wanted to be a bright, shiny person for your bridal shower? No can do! Instead, I ventured to the coffee shop for large amounts of espresso with a side of coffee. I hope no one noticed the hand tremors from such a caffeine overload.

It's partly because coming home is exciting and I don't want to miss anything … but, it's also because I have a ton on my mind. So I can dismiss the multiple "are you stressed?" questions and say it's business as usual, but my body thinks otherwise. There's programs, party favors, a musician scramble I've recently had to deal with, photos, etc., etc. I get done with one list of To Do's, and another, much longer one is created for me.

After the first seven-hour sleep night (intermittently) in a long time, I feel quite a bit clearer and able to conquer some of the list set before me. And while I would like to cross off at least half of it today, go grocery shopping, and clean the apartment – I also have to try to keep some sanity (and do that whole 8-hour work thing).

So here’s to hoping that everything will work out (it will, I have to keep reminding myself).